The next morning the board of directors gathered in the main conference room.
Powerful executives filled the long table.
Emily stood beside Alexander, organizing documents.
The meeting began smoothly.
But halfway through—
One of the directors spoke.
"Mr. Knight, before we continue… I have a concern."
Alexander looked at him calmly.
"What concern?"
The director slid a tablet across the table.
On the screen were photos.
Photos of Emily and Alexander leaving the charity event together.
Emily's stomach dropped.
"The media claims this woman is your girlfriend," the director said.
The room filled with murmurs.
Another director added,
"Is it appropriate for the CEO to hire his girlfriend as an assistant?"
Emily's face flushed.
Alexander's expression turned icy.
"She is not my girlfriend."
The room quieted.
Alexander continued calmly.
"Miss Carter was hired based on competence."
One director laughed.
"A café worker with no corporate experience?"
Emily clenched her hands.
But before she could say anything—
Alexander spoke again.
"She has already improved the efficiency of my department."
The room went silent.
Alexander's voice grew colder.
"Unless someone here would like to test her performance personally."
No one spoke again.
The meeting continued.
But Emily realized something important.
Alexander had just defended her in front of the entire board.